Suburban breweries on tap at Chicago Auto Show ‘Flights' event
Among the nearly two dozen brewers showcased at 'Friday Night Flights' last Friday night, several were on tap representing the suburbs. The Auto Show ran from Feb. 8 to Feb. 17 at McCormick Place.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Valentine's Day, attendees sampled a variety of new and popular brews for an additional cost. The brewers, including the ones from the suburbs, brought unique flavors to a wider audience.
Alter Brewing
Returning for its third year, Alter Brewing poured its Ambigram Hazy IPA, a brew featuring Mosaic, Citra, and Idaho 7 hops. Fruity and floral, it balances the hazy IPA trend without being overly bitter, owners describe the drink.
With its main brewery in Downers Grove and additional restaurant locations in Oak Brook and St. Charles, Alter Brewing is approaching its 10-year anniversary.
'It's great to be a part of this,' Dustin Clay, operations manager, said about Friday Night Flights at the Auto Show. 'Seeing people who don't necessarily visit our brewery every day really helps get our name out.'
Double Clutch Brewing Company
Evanston-based Double Clutch Brewing Company showcased Little Juice Coupe, its first hazy IPA. Known for its German-style beers, owners say the brewery stepped outside its usual range with this citrus-forward offering.
Since opening in 2021, Double Clutch has earned multiple awards, including silver medals for its Altbier and Helles Lager at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. The brewery's 12,000-square-foot space doubles as an event venue featuring rotating classic car displays, according to owners.
Noon Whistle Brewing
Noon Whistle Brewing, with locations in Lombard and Naperville, poured its flagship hazy IPA, Gummylicious, a beer packed with citrus hops. Launched in 2023, it has become the brewery's top-selling beer, according to owners.
'We designed this to be easy-drinking yet full of juicy, tropical haze,' said Mike Condon, co-founder.
The brewery, which first opened in Lombard in 2014 and expanded to Naperville in 2020, recently redesigned its packaging to feature bold colors for greater shelf appeal.
Sketchbook Brewing Company
Making its Chicago Friday Night Flights debut, Sketchbook Brewing Company presented Orange Door IPA, a double dry-hopped brew that has been a company staple for over a decade, owners say. Despite its name, the beer contains no orange, instead drawing citrus notes from its blend of three different hops.
Sketchbook's abstract can designs reflect its emphasis on beer as an art form.
'We believe beer and art intersect, and we try to showcase that on our cans,' said Michael Sotut, who represented the brewery at the event.
With 18 styles available at its Skokie and Evanston taprooms, owners say Sketchbook fosters a community-driven atmosphere, even opting for TV-free spaces to encourage conversation.
Tighthead Brewing Company
Also making its first Chicago Friday Night Flights appearance, Tighthead Brewing Company featured its Scarlet > Fire Red Ale, a gold medal winner at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival.
'This is a traditional red ale — roasty with light coffee notes and an easy-drinking profile,' said Scott Dykyj, sales representative. 'We're the only red ale here, which sets us apart.'
Now in its 14th year, Tighthead operates a taproom in Mundelein with 18 beers on tap and around 10 available in the market.
'The event combines the auto show's excitement with the energy of a beer fest, making it a great experience,' Dykyj said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Time Business News
Limited-Run Vape Flavour Craze in the UK
The UK vaping scene has always thrived on innovation and variety, but in recent years, limited-run vape flavours have taken the market by storm. These exclusive releases, available only for a short period or in small quantities, create a sense of urgency among consumers. They appeal to both seasoned vapers looking for something new and casual users who enjoy the novelty. Much like limited-edition coffee blends or seasonal snacks, these flavours turn vaping into a collectible experience. By blending creativity, scarcity, and bold taste profiles, limited-run flavours have become a major talking point in the UK vape community. Some wholesalers go beyond supplying products by offering marketing assistance to their partners. A strong vape wholesale relationship may include branded displays, digital advertising materials, and sales training. These resources help retailers promote products effectively and attract more customers. Wholesalers with industry knowledge can advise on stock selection, product placement, and promotional timing. This extra support is especially valuable for small businesses with limited budgets. By collaborating closely with a wholesaler, retailers can improve sales strategies and market positioning. The combination of quality products, competitive pricing, and marketing assistance creates a powerful formula for business growth. One of the main drivers behind the limited-run vape craze is the psychological appeal of exclusivity. When consumers know a flavour is only available for a short time, they are more likely to purchase it immediately. This scarcity effect taps into the fear of missing out, encouraging quicker buying decisions. Many brands use this tactic to boost sales during slower periods or to launch special campaigns. For vapers, owning a rare flavour becomes a badge of uniqueness, a conversation starter, and sometimes even a product they save for special occasions. Seasonal and holiday-inspired limited-run flavours have become especially popular in the UK. Winter often brings spiced blends like cinnamon chai or peppermint mocha, while summer sees fruity mixes such as tropical punch or frozen watermelon. Brands also create special editions for events like Halloween, Valentine's Day, and national celebrations. These themed releases don't just add novelty—they align with the moods and tastes of the season, making them more appealing. The limited window of availability ensures that each flavour becomes part of a specific moment in time, adding sentimental value to the vaping experience. Another growing trend is collaboration between vape brands and other industries to create unique limited-run flavours. Partnerships with dessert shops, beverage companies, or even celebrity chefs bring exciting crossovers to the market. These collaborations often generate buzz before launch, drawing attention from both vaping enthusiasts and fans of the partner brand. Limited runs are also used as a marketing tool to test new concepts before deciding whether to make them permanent. By leveraging brand collaborations, vape companies tap into broader audiences and make their products feel even more exclusive. The limited-run trend has significantly influenced how UK consumers approach vaping purchases. Instead of sticking to a few reliable flavours, many now explore a rotating range of products, constantly seeking the next new taste. This has encouraged a culture of experimentation, where trying the latest release becomes part of the vaping lifestyle. It also drives repeat visits to vape shops and online stores, as customers want to stay ahead of new drops. Retailers benefit from higher engagement, while consumers enjoy an ever-changing flavour landscape that keeps vaping exciting. Despite its popularity, the limited-run flavour trend has faced some criticism. Some consumers find the practice frustrating, as favourite flavours may disappear before they can restock. Others argue that it can lead to unnecessary spending or waste if buyers over-purchase to avoid missing out. Additionally, the short production runs sometimes mean less time for extensive market testing, which can result in mixed reactions. Nevertheless, most vapers accept these downsides as part of the excitement, viewing each release as an opportunity to try something new and unpredictable. With the rise of disposable vapes in the limited-run market, sustainability has become an important talking point. Many exclusive flavours are launched in single-use devices, which can contribute to environmental waste. In response, some brands are introducing refillable options for their limited editions or offering recycling programs. By combining eco-conscious packaging with the thrill of limited availability, companies can appeal to both environmentally aware consumers and flavour hunters. This shift reflects the broader trend in the UK towards more sustainable vaping practices without losing the appeal of exclusivity. Customer trust is built on consistent quality and authenticity. Working with a vape wholesale UK supplier ensures that retailers only stock compliant, tested, and genuine products. Reputable wholesalers source directly from established brands, eliminating the risk of counterfeit or unsafe goods. They also provide documentation to prove regulatory compliance, which protects businesses from fines and legal trouble. High-quality stock leads to better customer satisfaction, repeat purchases, and positive reviews. Retailers who prioritize quality through strong wholesale partnerships safeguard their brand reputation while meeting industry standards. This approach builds long-term loyalty, which is essential for survival in the competitive vape sector. The limited-run vape flavour craze in the UK showcases how creativity and scarcity can transform a simple product into a cultural phenomenon. By offering unique tastes tied to seasons, collaborations, and special events, brands have created a market where excitement drives sales. While there are challenges around availability, sustainability, and consumer expectations, the demand for these exclusive releases shows no sign of slowing down. For both retailers and vapers, the thrill of chasing the next limited flavour is as much a part of the experience as the vaping itself, keeping the UK market fresh and dynamic. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business Wire
The Knot Worldwide's 2025 Global Wedding Report Reveals Bold New Era of Personalization and Purpose
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Knot Worldwide, a leading global marketplace and family of brands championing celebration, today unveiled its 2025 Global Wedding Report, offering insights from more than 33,000 couples married in 2024 across eight countries. The report finds that modern weddings are being redefined by a new generation of couples prioritizing intentionality, personalization and authenticity at every step of their journey. 'As more Gen Zers get married, we're seeing weddings shift in deeply personal and creative ways,' said Raina Moskowitz, Chief Executive Officer at The Knot Worldwide. 'Couples today are rewriting the rules—placing more emphasis on the guest experience, while embracing traditions that reflect their identities and values. This year's report offers an insightful glimpse into how love and celebration are transforming around the world, with wedding professionals continuing to play a critical role in bringing those visions to life.' Top themes and takeaways from The Knot Worldwide 2025 Global Wedding Report: #1. Gen Z weddings are on the rise In India, Gen Z weddings are surging (62%), representing a 49 percentage point increase in 2023 compared to 2024. Similar growth trends are emerging in Brazil and Spain. In the U.S., one in three couples using The Knot are members of Gen Z. #2. Seasonal trends reflect local values Engagement season peaks in December across the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Mexico, often aligning with holidays and family gatherings. In contrast, Indian couples are most likely to get engaged in February, around Valentine's Day. Weddings also reflect seasonal preferences, with couples favoring June ceremonies in France and Italy and October weddings in Mexico. #3. Guest experience is the priority India leads with the largest average guest count (330), while France (97) and the U.K. (89) lean more intimate. Couples continue to heavily rely on wedding professionals to bring their wedding day to life and ensure their guests have a great experience, hiring between 10 and 14 vendors on average. A separate 2025 Instagram poll of more than 1,000 people in the U.S. revealed that guest enjoyment is the top concern for the majority of couples—above even budget or logistics. Nearly 50% describe their top worry as fearing their guests won't have fun at their wedding. #4. The era of personalized, purposeful celebrations The same poll revealed 68% of respondents want guests to feel like they've never been to another wedding like theirs before. Personalized details are most likely to make a wedding memorable (36%), followed by food and drinks (23%) and entertainment (21%). #5. Urban hubs and sunny escapes top the list of wedding destinations Vendor Marketplace search data across The Knot Worldwide's brands reveal the top regional wedding hotspots by country: U.S.: New York, Washington D.C., Chicago U.K.: London, Manchester, Cardiff India: Delhi, Udaipur, Chandigarh Mexico: Ciudad de Mexico, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara Italy: Napoli, Roma, Palermo France: Paris, Lyon, Saint Denis Brazil: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia For more insights and trends, check out the full report here. Methodology The 2025 Global Wedding Report captured responses from 33,174 married couples between January 1 and December 31, 2024, including 16,956 in the U.S. and 16,218 internationally (Spain, Italy, France, U.K., Brazil, Mexico, India). Respondents were recruited via social media and/or email invitation from The Knot and/or WeddingWire membership platforms. The sample reflects a wide range of ethnicities, income levels, sexual orientations, gender identities and geographies. This report also includes insights from ad hoc studies and search trends across The Knot Worldwide's global vendor marketplaces. About The Knot Worldwide Across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, The Knot Worldwide champions the power of celebration. The company's global family of brands provide best-in-class products, services and content to take celebration planning from inspiration to action. Through its wedding brands, including The Knot, WeddingWire, and others, the company offers an extensive database of hundreds of thousands of wedding professionals to assist couples in organizing the happiest day of their lives. We have a brand for every kind of celebration—from booking a birthday party, to planning a wedding, to preparing to become a parent, and every moment in between.
Chicago Tribune
26-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Chicago should rethink NASCAR possibilities
There is something that is not quite right about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. This brings to mind the NASCAR race on Chicago's lakefront streets for the past three years. Since the city of Chicago and NASCAR agree there will be no race in 2026, that gives everyone a chance to take a deep breath and start thinking outside the box or, in this case, outside the makeshift road course that doesn't seem to make anybody happy. How about a NASCAR Festival at Navy Pier or even at McCormick Place? Think Chicago Auto Show but for NASCAR devotees and all kinds of car geeks. Giant screens showing historic NASCAR races and highlights. Cars, drivers, pit crews, vendors, entertainers and even sponsors could be showcased over a couple of days along our magnificent lakefront. Navy Pier has tons of space outdoors and inside. McCormick Place already has a blueprint for showcasing cars and trucks, plus all the neat car stuff you can imagine. If the whole purpose of what transpired in Chicago over the past three years was to build the NASCAR brand and get Chicagoans to fall in love with everything NASCAR, while bringing revenue to the city, then think what a festival could do. More people could possibly attend. Chicago's weather would be much less of a factor. There could be ample opportunities to let folks actually touch the cars and listen to, or talk to, those who are devoted to everything NASCAR. The people on both sides who are responsible for what will happen here in 2027 have ample time to figure out the actual opportunities and costs without shutting down a single learning that NASCAR decided not to return to Chicago in 2026, my first reaction was: 'Yeah!' My second reaction was: Thanks for returning Grant Park back to Chicago. My third reaction was: Now let's return the Taste of Chicago to Grant Park in July, when it is supposed to be, and let's return it to at least a full-week schedule and with more activities, like it used to be, and not the measly, reduced-size, three-day weekend as is scheduled this year. And also, let's return the Fourth of July fireworks to the Grant Park lakefront instead of the out-of-the-way, hard-to-get-to, overcrowded Navy their July 23 op-ed ('How do we help America's national parks? Make global visitors pay more'), Tate Watkins and Sharon Suiwen Zou advocate making international visitors to our national parks pay higher admission fees. They embrace the administration's 'America First' policy under the pretense of generating more revenue to 'sustain our most treasured public lands for visitors of all types' — you know, those foreign types! This is the same administration cutting national parks staff, looking to open up parks for private development and starting global tariff wars (with many countries that have been America's biggest source of tourism). How do you think that's going to play out? Want to visit the Eiffel Tower, the Vatican or Tower of London? Oh, you're an American? You have to pay more. America's 85 million acres of national parks are places where everyone is welcome to experience the natural beauty of the United States. Raising fees for global visitors would drive more tourism away than add any meaningful funding for the park system. Throughout our history, presidents, Congress and leaders of industry have protected and invested with pride in keeping national parks pristine and accessible. They didn't scheme to make a land grab for mining minerals, drilling for oil or building condos. This isn't about budgetary constraints or political correctness. It's a foreign policy message. Let's not hide behind 'America First' and wind up 'America Last.'Thank you for the article regarding Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church ('Will Pope Leo XIV forge greater LGBTQ+ inclusion?' July 20). Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been a keystone of LGBTQ+ inclusivity for decades. I remember 40 years ago turning to the church after an egregious life event and was welcomed by one of the deacons there, who not only was empathetic but also invited me and my partner to the rectory and his own home. I will never forget this kindness and the empathy extended to us! Thank you so much for highlighting this wonderful community you for the 'Sundae school' article in the Wednesday Food & Health section. My wife and I went that day to the Karak Cafe on Ogden Avenue in Lisle to congratulate them on their being highlighted in the article and try the Dubai chocolate sundae that was featured. The very friendly and gracious family there was unaware of your front-page section article but was pleased that we let them know about it. Also, the Dubai chocolate sundae is not on the cafe's posted menu, but fortunately, it is available upon did I sit on a bus bench recently for over an hour, contemplating the dire future of our planet that is heating up at an alarming rate? I'll tell you why: because no bus came, neither a city bus nor a free bus, while a thousand cars and trucks trundled by or stopped to idle noisily at a red light before continuing on. Four other people joined my vigil, each staring at their phone, naturally. Every person I asked about a possible arrival time for the bus had a different version: five minutes, 12 minutes, 14 minutes, etc. Finally, a fifth soul came along whose phone told her that the bus was 'canceled.' I don't mind that I simply walked back home without completing my little shopping trip. I do mind that we should be cutting down on traffic, thereby helping prevent dangerous air pollution. We encourage people to take public transportation to help save our planet. But who wants to take buses and trains that can't be relied upon? And can we blame people for taking their cars knowing they can make three or four stops in an hour and still be home by lunchtime? Future public transportation is going to have to be some kind of wonderful if we have any hopes of reducing the number of cars and trucks on the streets of our cities.
